We’re in Flux!
Some of you may be following Pluto, the “talking” dog from the Canada-lands, who encourages us to whoosh love and avoid button pants (great advice!). I think Pluto was with us on Sunday because she talked to us all about change on Monday – flying our flux flag as it were!
No doubt, we are all in flux. The “new normal” has had no chance to make an appearance yet. We can’t even really decide what that might be. We are having a bit of a problem reaching consensus in this country, in this moment. If we wear a mask whenever we leave home does it mean that we’re afraid, misguided, and robbed of our liberty or does it mean that we are responding to science and caring for others? Seemingly small things are being used as symbols in divisive ways. I think we’re all feeling exhaustion about things like this and other things in our daily lives.
Faith Church has a wonderful change coming though. The Rev. Tom Gartin will be with you in just a few weeks. I am so happy for you. I have known Tom+ and mentored him through his ordination process, his diaconal formation, and his beginnings as a priest. You may remember seeing him 3 or 4 years ago at a Faith Church function, when his ex-wife Miranda was with you. Tom+ has been separated and divorced for over two years now. I have watched and supported Tom+ as he has processed his marriage and divorce. Anyone who has been through this knows it is not easy to do – to be honest with our self and to dig deep so that we can be more healthy and whole moving forward. Tom+ has done the hard work. He is an amazing person and priest.
Tom+ just turned 33 this month. Some of you have been going to church and doing ministry for longer than that, I know. It is challenging to be a young priest and to be a young leader. I hope that you will quickly see that youth is not a negative. You are getting an amazing leader, thinker, follower of Jesus. Yes, some of you have clothes older than Tom+, but you would be hard pressed to find a person who will be a stronger, more collaborative, more creative, curious and open leader.
We are in flux. We are exhausted by our daily lives. But there is good news – Faith Church is on the move! Faith Church is entering a time of incredible opportunity and potential with solid leadership - Rev. Sonya is amazing as always and you will be discovering how amazing Tom+ is!
I look forward to our next two Sundays together – God’s peace is with us.
Pastor Liz
